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Croatia World Cup Preview

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world
is about to the start in a week’s time and fans from all over the world and
hosts, Russia will be eager to hold this historic event. The 2014 champions,
Germany will be looking to defend their crown with a relatively new squad but,
will find it very difficult as there are many quality teams in each group and
many unpredictable dark horses. One such group is group D.

Group D consists of Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.
Argentina are by far odds on to win the group and qualify easily for the next
round but, the second spot is the one which will be eyed on by three
unpredictable dark horses. Nigeria are by far one of the best teams from the
African continent, Iceland can also pack a punch and shock the world one again
like that night when they knocked-out England from the Euro 2016. Lastly, we
have Croatia. The Baltic side have become one of the most improved team out of
the 32 qualified nations. Croatia may only be known for two or four, star players,
but there are also so many hidden gems who can surprise a few. Croatia may not
have the potential to reach the finals or win the cup but, they can strongly
target a quarter-final place or to be realistic, reaching the round of 16.
These targets would be ideal and make a whole country having a 4.5 million
population happy and proud.

The 2018 World Cup will be Croatia’s 4th in their
history after defeating Greece 4-1 in the qualifiers earlier this year. Having qualified
for the tournament for the first time in 1998, it is fair to say that Croatia
aren’t a rookie team but, a less experienced one. The most surprising fact is
that their best ever World Cup finish is third place, that too in their debut
World Cup! They have a great history in surprising a few and with a brand new
talented squad, who knows, Zlatko Dalic’s men can surprise a few. Captain, Luka
Modric is the most the most capped player with 105 international appearances
and Dominic Livakovic the least capped player with 1. Goalkeeper Danijel
Subasic is the oldest player in the squad aged 33 and Duje Caleta-Car is the
youngest aged 21.

As mentioned before, Croatia may not have one of the best
overall squads but, can be counted as an average squad with its own set of
strengths and weaknesses. Croatia have a strong midfield but have a weak
defence. They also have a decent but, far average attack which is solely
dependent on the quality and performance of its midfield.

Croatia have an experienced goalkeeper Subasic with Lovre
Kalinic as the back-up and Livakovic as the third choice and understudy
goalkeeper. As mentioned, defence is the area where they are most vulnerable as
the lack quality. Their best defender is their right back, Sime Vrsaljiko of
Atletico Madrid followed by one more known player in Dejan Lovern who reached
the Champions League Final with Liverpool but, eventually lost to a
star-studded Real Madrid side. Lovern hasn’t had a good season with Liverpool,
who have been forced to play him due to injuries to Matip and Gomez. His
numerous defensive errors also make him a disliked figure in his country but,
is one of their ‘best’ centre backs currently. To support him, Croatia have
Vedran Corluka and Tin Jedvaj. Left back is by far their most inexperienced and
vulnerable position with Besiktas left back, Domagoj Vida guaranteed a starting
role and Ivan Strinic to support.

Source: Euro Sport Daily

Midfield is Croatia’s best position with the side having one
of the best and experienced midfields in Europe. Ivan Rakitic and Mario
Brozovic are mainly deployed as holding midfielders with Milan Badelj and Mateo
Kovacic who is under Manchester United’s radar as the back up options. Real
Madrid’s midfield maestro, Luka Modric is mainly placed as an attacking
midfielder for his national side even though he plays in central midfield for
Los Blancos. He is played due to his ability to read and control the game with
his numerous Champions League experience to help strikers. Him in the attack
makes the strikers assured about chances created and dynamism. Marco Pjaca operates
on the right wing with Ivan Perisic operating on the left and also capable to
play on the right. They don’t have those many wing options but often change
formations mid-game so that wingers and substitutes can play in their desired
roles.

Croatia have good options in attack with Mario Madzukic
leading the attack as a sole striker with Andrej Kramaric and Nikola Kalinic as
back-up strikers. It was Kalinic who scored the winner for Croatia and guided
them to Russia.

Formation:

Zlatko Dalic prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation with
changes to a 4-4-2 mid-game. He has adopted the 4-2-3-1 in the international
friendlies and it looks like the best suited formation for the team. Subasic is
expected to start in goal with Vrsalijko and Vida as the full-backs. Lovern and
Corluka are expected to start in centre back followed by Brozovic and Rakitic
in defensive midfield. Pjaca and Perisic are expected to be the wide men
whereas captain Modric should start in attacking midfield with Mandzukic
leading the line. Vrsalijko loves to make attacking runs and supply crosses
from the left whereas Perisic who is one of the best crossers of the ball makes
deadly orthodox crosses from the left wing with his stronger left foot. Rakitic
and Modric control the game and create the chances for the attackers. They are
the main talisman for the team. Mandzukic is expected to continue the role of a
classical target forward who heads the ball and uses his strength to score
goals. A similar role which he does at Juventus.

Key Players:

Luka Modric.

The 32-year-old captain, Modric will be the
most important player for his country as he as he will have carry his whole
team and control all key aspects of the game, chance creation, attack and
defending. The three-time Champions League winner will also provide vital
experience to his national side. Also, the fact that it could be his last ever
World Cup due to age and Real Madrid have already started looking into signing
an understudy to succeed him in the near future.

Ivan Rakitic.

Rakitic, the Barcelona work-horse will also
be under the spotlight to help his national side push for a challenging World
Cup with a player who possesses similar qualities as him but, is a crucial
rival on the club stage, Modric. Rakitic, plays in the defensive half of the
midfield but, also controls the game from that end. He is also an excellent
creator and one of the best in his position. He is always involved in very game
getting 93 touches on average per game. He is 30 years old and could still have
another World Cup or European Championship in him.

Source: Croatia Weekly

Ivan Perisic.

The Inter Milan winger was one of the best
players in the Euro 2016. He will be a crucial factor for Croatia due to his
dangerous crossing ability and with target men like Mandzukic and Kramaric,
Perisic will be a key player for Croatia.

Final
Prediction

Croatia are placed in group D along with
Argentina who are favourites to win the group and Iceland and Nigeria. Iceland
are an unpredictable but, comparatively weaker to the rest. But, their exploits
in the Euro’s make them worthy of packing a punch. Nigeria are one of the best
team from Africa and have some decent quality. To conclude, Croatia would have
a great World Cup if they reach the round of 16 stage and would be ecstatic if
they reach the quarter finals.

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